of the Pharisees] A sect that divided themselves from others, as more righteous then they, as the name imports: or, it may signifie, Expounders of the law. Yet they gave many false glosses. See Chap. 5. 20. 21. and 23. 16, 17. and Sadduces] Another sect so named from Sadoc their first founder: or, as some think, because they also professe themselves righteous, though indeed they were meer Libertines, and held opinions destructive of all pietie, Acts 23:8. come to his baptism] Which some of them it seems embraced, though others of them refused so to do, Luke 7:30. O generation of vipers] Or, O viperous brood. Chap. 12. 34. and 23. 33. A pernicious creature, Acts 28:3-4. He meaneth not that they were originally corrupt from their parents, for so were all the rest: but that they were very badly bred, and poysoned deeply with the pernicious errours, which they received one from another, and conveyed one to another. who hath warned you] It may seem strange that you could by any man be induced, to deem your selves in danger of wrath and destruction, conceiving your selves to be so holy and perfect, as ye outwardly pretend to be, and it may therefore well be doubted, whether this your profession of repentance be indeed sound and sincere. And the rather admire at it, concerning them both, because the Pharisees thought they were not in danger of hell, Luke 18:9; Luke 18:11. and the Sadduces beleeved no hell, Acts 23:8. to flee from the wrath to come] By repentance, the onely means to prevent it, Luke 13:5; Luke 13:7. the wrath to come] Gods judgement, either in this life, or the next, 1 Thessalonians 1:10.